Think Crafts Blog - Craft Ideas and Projects - CreateForLess

I’ve been fusing glass for about 5 years now and it’s a craft that is always fascinating. Glass fusing is basically layering several pieces of glass with the same COE and then fusing the pieces together in a kiln or heat source.  The layers of glass create a new single piece of glass.  You can then go on to slump the fused glass using a mold to create bowls, plates, and all kinds of art.

The process is time consuming.  You must create a design or use a pattern.  You need to cut the pieces of glass.  Clean all the pieces to remove any oils or dust.  You then layer your pieces onto a kiln shelf (that is either prepared with kiln wash to prevent sticking or with a piece of shelf paper). You then must fire or bake the glass in a kiln for a timed process.  You can’t just super heat glass because it will shatter so you slowly ramp up the heat in the kiln until the glass melts and then slowly ramp the heat down.  There are schedules prepared by the manufacturers of the glass to help you time the firing.  Once fired, the glass must cool before you can continue.  Fused pieces can take several hours or several days to create. The end result is worth it!

Diamond Tech has created a product kit that turns glass fusing into a very do-able, easy to understand process with its Fuseworks Beginner’s Fusing Kit.  Imagine fusing glass in your microwave in minutes! I have to be very honest, I couldn’t believe fusing could be done so quickly, but all my doubts were gone after my first fusing with the kit and its mini Fuseworks Microwave Kiln!!!

You get a ton of stuff in the kit: an assortment of 90 COE glass, Dichroic bits and pieces (beautiful patterned glass), millefiori glass (small discs that have patterns like flowers and such), confetti glass (thin shards of glass), kiln paper, glass cutter, hot mitts, and jewelry findings (earring sets and bails), plus very well written instructions.  You can make many fused jewelry pieces with the supplies included in the kit.

And it really is as easy as cutting your glass, laying down the kiln paper, stacking your glass, putting the top on the kiln, placing the kiln in your microwave and microwaving for a few minutes!!!  I was thrilled with my pieces and I didn’t have to fire up my kiln… all I needed was my microwave. Your piece is even annealed during the 40-50 minute cool down.

A few words to know when fusing:

Anneal: this is a process where the glass becomes its strongest, all glass pieces should be annealed or there is a good chance of the glass cracking over time.

COE: Coeffcient of Expansion, this is usually given to you as a number: 90 COE, 104 COE.  All glass has a COE number and you can only fuse glass pieces that have the same COE number.  In other words you can’t mix a piece of glass with a 90 COE with a piece of glass with a 104 COE.  Manufacturers will give you the COE of their glass.

Dichroic Glass: A glass with multiple micro-layers of metal oxides which give the glass optical properties.

Dichroic glass shimmers when fused.

Millefiori: A glass work technique where rods of patterned glass are formed and then cut into small discs.

Many discs of millfiori are fused to create this pendant.

Check out my next blog when guest blogger Jeanne Baruth goes into detail about using this new Fuseworks Microwave Kiln!

This is the front of the shed, you can see some of the original plus the extension. That's one of my dogs, Edison, enjoying the sunshine.

The New Year is upon us and I have to say I really don’t like making New Year’s Resolutions, but it might be time to take part in this yearly tradition since right now my house is pure chaos. It all started when I decided I wanted an extension to my shed in the backyard.  My shed is really a very nice studio, but we still refer to it as “The Shed” since that’s what it was originally supposed to be, a place for the lawnmower and other gardening tools.  However, my husband did such a fine job in building his shed that it became my studio. 

A back view of the shed showing the extension.

Now most creative people would have been thrilled to have 20′ x 22′ under roof with a built in stereo and air conditioning, but I felt that if I had just 10′ x 12′ more… I’d have the dream studio of all time in my backyard.  Thus, the extension was underway.  Granted my husband has a real full time job that has nothing to do with building sheds for creative people, so he has worked weekends to complete my extension since September.  It’s been amazing.  Concrete floor poured.  Wood framing framed.  A roof appeared and the walls went up!  Then an opening was cut between the two and a doorway was created.  I got a huge picture window along one of the new walls.  Finally the flooring went down and it was time to move in all my craft supplies.

Craft supplies all over the counter tops of my kitchen!

Ok, here comes the chaos.  I decided since I had so much space I could move every single piece of art and craft materials into the new and improved shed.  Sounded simple.  Didn’t seem like a big deal.  Have I mentioned lately that I’m a bit of a “not quite living in reality” type of person?

More craft materials lined up in my living room!

You got it.  I have more stuff than the average craft store has in its end of the year inventory.  And I’d put it EVERYWHERE! I bravely have begun to gather all the various supplies into my dining room, kitchen, and living room.  I’ve got stacks here, I’ve got stacks there.  I’ve got piles of yarn, wool roving, and looms.  I’ve got boxes and boxes of paper making supplies including two huge paper presses.  I’ve got tools, kilns, and torches! And man oh man do I have beads, jewelry findings, and a million buttons!

The piles of craft stuff are getting higher and higher, oh, my!

Where the heck am I going to put all this stuff in my new, wonderful, uncluttered shed?

I think my craft supplies are secretly multiplying!

I resolve that by the end of 2009 I will be organized!  Happy New Year and stay tuned……

Guest Blogger: Rita S. LeVine, Diamond Tech

Mosaics add charm and whimsy to any room in your home or a corner of your garden. Mosaics are not only beautiful to display but they are truly a lot of fun to make!

Traditional mosaics are made by cutting tiny pieces of glass and fitting them together with just enough space between each piece for grout. Traditions change however and today’s contemporary mosaics are not only made from glass but broken china pieces, buttons, shells and even Grandma’s rhinestone jewelry.

To begin, choose an item on which to mosaic, my favorites are garage sale fountains, small bistro table and stepping stones but generally mosaics can be applied to any and all surfaces. If you’ve chosen a smooth surface rough it up first using fine grit sandpaper or score it using a craft knife. A rough surface will allow the adhesive to form a better grip. Next, decide on a pattern for your mosaic. For inspiration visit your local library or book store for a pattern or mosaic book. Once you have an idea for a design, draw it on paper and transfer it to the surface using carbon paper and a sharpened pencil or simply draw it directly on the surface.  

Nipping to size your pieces for the mosaic.

As with any craft project the proper tools are essential. Gather or purchase a good multipurpose adhesive (we prefer Liquid Nails), grout, tile nippers (for nipping tile), wheeled glass nippers (for nipping glass), a large sponge, latex gloves, sealer, protective eyewear, drop cloth or newspaper for work surface protection.

Now let’s have some fun choosing tesserae! Tesserae is the small pieces used to make a mosaic. China, pottery pieces, stones, marbles and cut glass are popular forms of tesserae. Ceramic and glass tiles are another form of tesserae. Ceramic tiles have glossy color fired onto the top surface of a ceramic or porcelain tile. Glass tile or Vitreous tile has rich color that extends throughout the body of the tile. Either has smooth front and textured back for better adhesive grip. 

Gluing pieces down onto surface.

Before gluing the tesserae to your surface determine the best placement and fit. Nip pieces using either a tile or wheeled glass nippers to desire shape, ensuring a proper fit. It is always best to work from the center of the design outward making sure you stop 1/4 ” from the edge of the surface. Leave 1/8″ space between each piece of tesserae for grout.

When you are ready to glue, pick up each piece place a small amount of glue on the backside and press firmly into place. Hold in place until there is no movement in the tesserae. If the surface is rounded, place it on its side using pillows to hold it in place as you mosaic. Continue this process until the design is complete. Allow glue to dry according to manufacture’s instructions. 

Applying the grout.

The final step in mosaics is applying the grout. Grout can dramatically effect on the look of your mosaic. Grouts are available in a multitude of colors, select a shade that either blends or contrast with the tesserae. Mixing grout is quite simple. Wearing a disposable glove, follow the manufacturer’s directions and mix just enough for the project. Once mixed apply to the surface, spread the grout into all the nooks and crannies. Wait about 15 minutes for grout to set. Begin to gently wipe away the excess grout using a paper towel taking care not to pull the grout out of tile spaces.  It is very important to remove any grout on the tiles surface before grout is completely dry. Using the soft cloth, buff the tiles to a clean shine. Allow 24 hours for the mosaic piece to dry thoroughly.

Cleaning all excess grout from mosaic.

References:

Diamond Tech

Society of American Mosaic Artists

Wishing everyone the best of the holidays and a very merry Christmas!

What is your favorite part of Christmas? It’s hard for me to decide.  I love sitting in my living room at night just watching the lights upon my Christmas tree.  I enjoy putting my handmade ornaments on the tree remembering when each was given to me and by whom.  Some are very rustic made by little hands. Some are delicate made by careful hands.  Some are whimsical made by happy hands, while others are just beautiful and made by very skilled hands.  But each is special to me and makes me smile.

I actually enjoy addressing, signing, and sending holiday wishes in the form of purchased and handmade cards. It’s a quiet time when I can just be still and know how blessed I am to have such wonderful family and friends. Baking and exchanging cookies is a bright spot of my holidays.  I’ve got a sweet tooth and it loves cookies!  I also like singing and listening to carols.  I’m a bit tone-deaf, but during the holidays everyone seems very forgiving of my throwing the whole choir off-key!

I try to make my holiday spirit last 264 days until the next Christmas.  The world is a better place during the holidays with hot cocoa steaming, white snowflakes glistening, and colorful lights shining through the night. Christmas is an extraordinary gift to us and a time to show off our creativity.  Which brings me to my favorite part of the holidays! Presents under the tree!  I’m looking forward to unwrapping some handmade gifts this year and hope there are a few handmade gifts under your tree too!

This kit is just too too cute! You can’t help but smile when you open the box up and find all the precious surprises inside! The projects are on beautifully done cards with a photo on front, open to the instructions, and some project’s instructions conclude on the back of the card.  You are given most of the supplies needed to create each of the 15 little projects!  You will need to gather some basic crafting tools from your own stash: embroidery needle, hand sewing needle, fabric scissors, fabric marking pen, tape measure, ruler, pencil, straight pins, and fiberfill.  Patterns are included full size.  Once the kit’s supplies are done, you can just add your own scraps of fabric and felt and continue to make the cool projects!

Small plush creatures and minatures are so hot right now in all crafting categories!  And who doesn’t fall in love with tiny little treasures?  This kit is just plain fun!  It can also travel well and makes a great gift. My favorite project was the Party Cake.  I made several to give to my sewing friends as a pin cushion!  

The Party Cake front card cover is inspiring.

I give The Softies Kit the CreateForLess 5 Star Glue Gun Award! 

Would you like to win this kit?

Be the first person to e-mail me at Maria@thinkcrafts.com and this kit will be yours.  Please put the name of the kit you want to win in the subject line of your e-mail to me. I will reply back to the first e-mailer requesting a mailing address.  Please don’t post any personal information on Think Crafts!